WENGER NOT FRUSTRATED WITH FLAMINI EXIT

Arsene Wenger accepts that Flamini has left and does not bear any grudges over his move to AC Milan.

Mathieu Flamini will be joining AC Milan in the summer when his Arsenal contract expires.

Leaving due to the expiration of his contract at Arsenal, Flamini will no doubt benefit financially as Milan do not need to pay a transfer fee to the Gunners. Certainly, Flamini will receive either inflated wages or a signing on bonus , which Arsenal were unable to afford.

Arsene Wenger, who signed Flamini back in July 2004, seems to want to move on from the loss of one of his key players.

Arsene Wenger:

I am not frustrated because I know the rules in this job, the guy is free, he can go to somebody who pays him more.

Myself I have fought my whole life to get good wages for the players. I feel every player deserves good money when he becomes a top player and good money gives you the freedom to do what you want.

He said he wanted to stay. If you say ‘no I want to go somewhere’ that is OK. But you cannot say ‘I want to stay but I go’.

Still, for me it’s not a problem, I wish him well and say thanks for the services. Let’s go on and focus on what’s important for this Club and the players who want to stay here.

There is no bitterness, nothing. He was in a situation where he could make a decision, and he did. Goodbye and good luck. It’s as simple as that.

What is important is that a player, when he plays, gives 100 per cent. And when he played for us he gave 100 per cent.

Flamini himself revealed that he would have signed a new deal with Arsenal last summer, had one been on offer.

Mathieu Flamini:

I actually wanted to sign a new contract at Arsenal last July but it didn’t happen. AC Milan did so much to sign me I couldn’t refuse.

What happened to us after leading the league for so long was the most painful experience I had during four years at Arsenal.